Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, has assured Bharat’s visiting Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, that the bodies of the Bharatiyas who died in a recent fire will be sent home quickly. This assurance came after a tragic fire at a labor housing facility in the Mangaf area of Kuwait on Wednesday. Minister Al-Yahya also expressed his condolences and promised full support for medical care and the investigation into the incident.
The Bharatiya Embassy in Kuwait confirmed this news on the social media platform X. They posted, “MoS @KVSinghMPGonda called on FM of Kuwait H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya in Kuwait. FM Yahya conveyed his condolences on the tragic incident. He assured full support including for medical care, early repatriation of mortal remains, and investigation of the incident.”
MoS @KVSinghMPGonda called on FM of Kuwait H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya in Kuwait. FM Yahya conveyed his condolences on the tragic incident. He assured full support including for medical care, early repatriation of mortal remains and investigation of the incident. pic.twitter.com/Zi3eDYA5N4
— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 13, 2024
Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital in Kuwait, where seven injured Bharatiyas are receiving treatment. He checked on their well-being and assured them of support from the Bharatiya government. He also praised the hospital staff for their excellent care.
After arriving in Kuwait, Minister Singh went to Jaber Hospital to visit six other injured Bharatiyas. Over 40 Bharatiyas lost their lives, and more than 50 were injured in the fire. The injured are being treated in five government hospitals in Kuwait: Adan, Jaber, Farwaniya, Mubarak Al Kabeer, and Jahra hospitals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that most of the patients are stable.
The Bharatiya Embassy in Kuwait is working closely with local authorities to help those affected by the fire. They have set up a helpline for family members to get updates and stay informed. The MEA expressed their condolences and is gathering full details from Kuwaiti authorities and the company involved.
Government Response in Bharat
Before leaving for Kuwait, Kirti Vardhan Singh mentioned that some bodies were charred beyond recognition. He emphasized that more details would be available once they reached Kuwait. Speaking at Delhi Airport, he said, “We had a meeting last evening with the Prime Minister… The rest of the situation will be clear the moment we reach there.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting soon after the news of the fire broke. He announced a relief fund of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased Indian nationals. PM Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, extended condolences to the families, and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. The meeting was held at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.
The official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said, “Prime Minister announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of deceased Indian nationals from the Prime Minister Relief Fund.”
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